THE LIBERIAN CIVIL WARS & CONFLICTS THAT PRECEDED

Rice Riots:

Liberia faced various periods of conflict between 1970 and 1980. In 1979, after hearing that the president proposed raising the price of rice, many took to the streets to protest. They were met with brutal force from President William Tolbert Jr's forces, and many were killed. 

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The 1980 Coup:

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During the period of tension following the rice riot, Sergeant Samuel K. Doe carried out a military coup, publicly executing President Tolbert and thirteen of his aids. Doe and his supporters then suspended the constitution and assumed power over Liberia.

During this time, Doe faced pressure from the United States and other Western powers (and Liberia's creditors) to return the country to democracy. Despite Doe's allowance of political parties and hosting a presidential election (for which Doe was elected president), Liberia continued to spiral into political and social tension. 

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The First Civil War (1989-1996): 

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In 1989, Charles Taylor, along with the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) led an uprising against the government. Violence continued to spread and President Doe was ultimately executed. With growing pressure from the West and other African states, fighting within Liberia continued until a period of pause in 1996. At that time, elections were held and Charles Taylor was elected President. Though the international community considered the election to be fair and free, fear and intimidation overshadowed the democratic process. 

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Second Civil War (1999-2003): 

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With tension spewing in the country and in the bordering Sierra Leone, Liberia's government faced mounting pressures from the international community (particularly the US and Britain - Liberia's biggest donors), to end its role in the violence. Between 1999 and 2003, fighting within Liberia continued with the international community playing a larger role in brokering and pressuring Liberia for peace. During this period, United Nations Peacekeepers were dispatched to Liberia in Monrovia to keep peace in the capital city. Particularly after pressure from the Liberian Diaspora living abroad (mainly the United States), the U.S. and the U.N. played a large role in convincing Charles Taylor to step down. In conjunction with international pressure, the role of women and activists in Liberia (especially towards the end of the war) in achieving peace is extremely significant. 

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The war officially ended August 11, 2003 with the declaration of a ceasefire brokered by international actors and activists, and other West African nations.

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